Anti-nociceptive activity of ethanol leaf extract of Smilax anceps in swiss albino mice

Abstract

Smilax anceps is traditionally used in the management of rheumatism. Anti-nociceptive activity of the ethanol extract of the leaf of this plant was investigated. Phytochemical screening and acute toxicity (LD50) of the extract were determined. The acetic acid induced writhing and hotplate test were used to evaluate the anti-nociceptive activity in Swiss mice. Fifty animals divided into twenty-five each were used for each assay. Acetylsalicylic acid and tramadol were used as reference drugs while extract was administered at 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg doses via the oral route in writhing and hotplate test respectively. Flavonoids, tannins, saponins and steroids/triterpenoids were found as phytoconstituents. In acetic acid induced writhing test, a statistically significant (P<0.05) difference in anti-nociceptive activity was observed between the test groups and the negative control. However, the extract at 250mg/kg showed a statistically significant (P<0.05) difference in anti-nociceptive activity when compared to the positive control. In the hotplate test, all extract treated groups exhibited a statistically significant (P<0.05) difference when compared to the negative control. Meanwhile, the 250mg/kg extract dose exhibited non-significant increase in latency at the 90,120 and 150minute when compared with the positive control. The findings of this study have shown that ethanol leaf extract of Smilax anceps might possess significant peripheral and central anti-nociceptive activities.